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100-year birthdays

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 2, 2005

Dorothy M. (Baker) Gourley was born March 4, 1905, in Holland, Mich., to George E. and Clara (Rosenthal) Baker. At age 20, she moved to New York and by 1930 she had worked as an extra in several films made by Paramount Studios. She appeared as one of the bridesmaids in Broken Wedding Bells, one of the girls around the pool in Well Sealed, and as one of the girls around the piano in Flo Ziegfeld.

Making a living in film was no easier in the late '20s and early '30s than it is now, so Dorothy worked between films at several hotels as a waitress. Her film/waitressing career continued with her move with her son Floyd B. Baker to Los Angeles in 1928. She was affiliated with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's and was an extra in many movies and was one of the secretaries in Office Wife and also worked at Charlie Chaplin's restaurant.

She left Los Angeles and moved to Chicago, continuing to work in hotels. In May 1936, she met and married Ray Gourley in Chicago. In January of 1943, she and her husband moved to East Sagutuck, Mich., to help care for her ailing father.

Dorothy worked as a waitress there, and she and her husband raised Christmas trees on local farmland. She gardened, altered clothing, caned chairs and reupholstered furniture. Mr. Gourley died in January 1971.

After his death, Dorothy spent winter months in Florida with her son and his wife. She worked at the Clearwater Hilton, Clearwater Beach, in 1972 and the Sir Edward James, Treasure Island, during the winters of 1973-74.

She worked at Sandalwood in 1974 and began to prepare for a permanent move to Redington Shores. She bought her present home in 1974. During the mid '80s, she worked for a neighbor, helping her take care of family members. She continued to alter clothes until her eyesight began to fail.

Her son Floyd died Jan. 9, 1991.

She is a member of Eastern Star, Gulf Beach Chapter 291. She remains spry and active despite diminished hearing and vision.

Dorothy has two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

We think that living 100 years is worth our taking notice. If you or a family member is about to celebrate a 100th birthday or more, please let us know. Include the following information: the person's full name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names (including mother's maiden name) if known, name of spouse (if applicable), marriage date, names of children and number of grandchildren (if applicable), length of time the person has lived in this area and a phone number. Also, please include a photo that doesn't need to be returned. We'll publish the information as close to the birthday as possible. Send the information to 100-Year Birthdays, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731-1121 or fax to (727) 893-8675.

[Last modified March 2, 2005, 00:46:17]